Amazing Aribo, brilliant Bassey help Rangers batter Borussia Dortmund in six-goal thriller

The Scottish champions produced easily their best performance of the season to pick up a comprehensive win in Germany

Nigerian stars Joe Aribo and Calvin Bassey featured impressively as an excellent Rangers pummeled Borussia Dortmund 4-2 at the Signal Iduna Park in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League clash on Thursday.

While Aribo played further forward as one of a four-man attack, Bassey paired Connor Goldson at the heart of the Gers’ defence, and he was as impressive as any other. 

Rangers, who finished runners-up in their Europa League group back in December, were the underdogs against a Dortmund side that unexpectedly dropped down into this competition from the Champions League.

But it was the Scottish champions who drew first blood via a James Tavernier penalty in the 39th minute. The Gers then zoomed into dreamland two minutes later when Super Eagles midfielder Aribo expertly flicked on a Tavernier cross for Alfredo Morelos to tap in a second goal.

John Lundstram added a third shortly after the restart before Jude Bellingham pulled one back for the stunned hosts.

A Dan-Axel Zagadou own-goal restored Rangers’ three-goal advantage, but full-back Raphael Guerreiro scored a second for Dortmund with eight minutes left on the clock.

While Aribo was replaced by former Arsenal man Aaron Ramsey in the 86th minute, Bassey was on the pitch until full-time, snuffing out the dangerous Dortmund attacks. 

The Nigerian defender was helped by the absence of notorious hitman Erling Haaland. Still, he gave a good account of himself, making two clearances, blocking one shot, and getting four interceptions in the kitty.

And it was even more significant as the Gers weathered a late attacking surge from the home side to preserve a two-goal advantage ahead of the return leg in Glasgow.